What's so special about Eagle Scout?

Becoming an Eagle Scout is no small achievement. In fact, among adults who have gone on to become astronauts, doctors, politicians, or business leaders, most of them will say that earning their Eagle is clearly among the most important achievements in their lives.

Back to the question...WHY?

Look at it from this angle...ADVANCEMENT is completely up to the individual Scout. If he has no desire or sense of committment to advance in rank, that is his choice. IT IS POSSIBLE for a boy to attend EVERY meeting and EVERY camping trip, and never make it through 1/2 of the available ranks if he isn't motivated enough to take the extra step of demonstrating skills or earning merit badges. Statistically speaking, only 2 out of 100 boys in Scouting will push themselves to become Eagle Scouts.

The "Trail to Eagle" is one of persistance, dedication, well-rounded learning experiences by earning 21+ merit badges, strong attendance at meetings and camping trips, and hundreds of hours of community service...all culminating with the planning and complete execution of his "Eagle Project" before his 18th birthday.

The "Eagle Project" is SO MUCH MORE than "giving something back to the community" (which it is, and let's not minimize the importance of community and charity). It's actually his "final exam" in Scouting.

He manages his Eagle Project. He will put to use all of the lessons he has learned as a Boy Scout; communicating, organizing, recruiting, conceiving an idea, selling the idea, planning the work, assigning work details to those helping him, being the "accountant" that tracks the hours worked and the money spent, etc. In every conceiveable way, HE is the "project leader".

THESE are the highly desirable skills and traits that makes "Eagle Scout" stand out on a job resume or college application, and the fact that such skills and moral foundations and learned/mastered before "society" recognizes him as an "adult"...simply amazing!

What is an "Eagle Project"?

An "Eagle Project" is a project that is ORGANIZED and MANAGED by a Life Scout who is working towards the Eagle rank. There are guidelines for Eagle Projects that will be described below, but in it's most simple definition, it is a community service project where the Eagle Candidate shows off his LEADERSHIP ABILITY. It is not for the candidate to "do" the work, but to provide the organization and leadership so the work can get done.

Does an Eagle Project need a certain number of "minimum hours"?
No. There is no set minimum for a project, although most average more than 100 hours of combined service. However, the length of work must be long enough that there is AMPLE OPPORTUNITY for a Scout to show/demonstrate actual "leadership".

Does an Eagle Project have to be unique?Yes & No. An Eagle Project does NOT need to be "unique", but it should be unique FOR HIM. A Scout who simply repeats a project he worked on with another Scout is NOT "leading"...he's "repeating" someone else. Remember, PLANNING is a big part of the project/process.

Troop 210 Eagle Scouts

Eagle Scout is the highest attainable rank in Boy Scouting and requires years of dedication and hard work. Scouts must demonstrate proficiency in leadership, service, and outdoor skills at multiple levels before achieving the rank of Eagle. Fewer than 5 percent of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle badge.

The first Eagle badge was awarded in 1912

Only about 2 percent of all Boy Scouts earn the Eagle rank

The 1 millionth Eagle Scout was honored in 1982

In 2008, a record 52,025 scouts earned the rank of Eagle

The 2 millionth Eagle Scout was honored in 2009

Even though Troop 210 has been chartered on and off since 1940, only two Scouts have reached the rank of Eagle Scout.